DEAL: Yankees to Sign Superstar Ahead Astros

The Houston Astros weren’t the sole contenders vying for superstar Josh Hader’s services. Naturally, it would be naive to assume that the Astros were his exclusive potential destination. Now that Hader has committed to Houston for five years and $95 million, journalists are scrutinizing the timeline as part of the analysis of Hader’s deal.

What’s noteworthy is Hader openly discussing some of the teams that pursued him this offseason. During an interview on Foul Territory, Hader disclosed at least two of them, and they are no surprises — the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although there were other interested teams, Hader informed the hosts that none matched the “aggressiveness” exhibited by the Astros, who ultimately sealed the deal.

The Dodgers, having already invested over $1 billion in free agents, notably securing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, might have easily accommodated another $100 million to solidify their bullpen. The uncertainty looms over who will fill the closer role for the Dodgers.

Regarding the Yankees, they do have Clay Holmes as a closer on the roster. However, after their pursuits of Ohtani and Yamamoto fell through, they shifted their focus to acquiring starting pitching assistance with Marcus Stroman and enhancing their outfield with Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Trent Grisham. It seems that neither team prioritized bolstering their bullpen, at least not with a high-profile closer.

It didn’t appear to be the case for the Astros until recently. Their approach seems to have been one of patient aggression, resulting in securing their desired closer.